Michael de Podesta
@protons4b.bsky.social
Experimental physicist, professionally retired since April 2020, but still experimenting. I've been writing about science since 2008 at http://protonsforbreakfast.org
Very concerned about the Climate and sustainable living.
Very concerned about the Climate and sustainable living.
Thank you. I think that is some broadly positive news. I'll stop scrolling now.
January 14, 2026 at 11:07 AM
Thank you. I think that is some broadly positive news. I'll stop scrolling now.
"No such thing as over-tight building (no one says cars are over-tight)."
We don't live in cars.
Many older buildings are just fine in terms of rates of air change - without first sealing them and re-engineering air change mechanisms.
We don't live in cars.
Many older buildings are just fine in terms of rates of air change - without first sealing them and re-engineering air change mechanisms.
January 12, 2026 at 6:56 PM
"No such thing as over-tight building (no one says cars are over-tight)."
We don't live in cars.
Many older buildings are just fine in terms of rates of air change - without first sealing them and re-engineering air change mechanisms.
We don't live in cars.
Many older buildings are just fine in terms of rates of air change - without first sealing them and re-engineering air change mechanisms.
protonsforbreakfast.wordpress.com/2026/01/06/v...
In my home, "room temperature" varies considerably with height. It might be so in your home too. In which case, take care where you place your thermostat.
Best wishes
Michael
In my home, "room temperature" varies considerably with height. It might be so in your home too. In which case, take care where you place your thermostat.
Best wishes
Michael
Variation in Room Temperature with Height
Friends, I have recently been going on (and on …) about different modes of temperature control for heat pumps. And I have emphasised the utility of a thermostat – the most basic tempera…
protonsforbreakfast.wordpress.com
January 6, 2026 at 2:27 PM
protonsforbreakfast.wordpress.com/2026/01/06/v...
In my home, "room temperature" varies considerably with height. It might be so in your home too. In which case, take care where you place your thermostat.
Best wishes
Michael
In my home, "room temperature" varies considerably with height. It might be so in your home too. In which case, take care where you place your thermostat.
Best wishes
Michael
...possibly.. or perhaps just have a thermostat?
December 30, 2025 at 11:55 PM
...possibly.. or perhaps just have a thermostat?
protonsforbreakfast.wordpress.com/2025/12/30/w...
Getting a heat pump often requires users to get to grips with so-called weather compensation.
In this article I explain why Weather Compensation is possibly the worst temperature control system imaginable.
Getting a heat pump often requires users to get to grips with so-called weather compensation.
In this article I explain why Weather Compensation is possibly the worst temperature control system imaginable.
Weather Compensation and its alternatives
Friends, when switching from a gas boiler to heating with a heat pump, householders are commonly obliged to get used to the idea of weather compensation (WC). Instead of the familiar act of setting…
protonsforbreakfast.wordpress.com
December 30, 2025 at 1:22 PM
protonsforbreakfast.wordpress.com/2025/12/30/w...
Getting a heat pump often requires users to get to grips with so-called weather compensation.
In this article I explain why Weather Compensation is possibly the worst temperature control system imaginable.
Getting a heat pump often requires users to get to grips with so-called weather compensation.
In this article I explain why Weather Compensation is possibly the worst temperature control system imaginable.
protonsforbreakfast.wordpress.com/2025/11/18/s...
I've been singing about Climate Change at my local folk club.
If it's your sort of thing, please do share the songs and enjoy!
I've been singing about Climate Change at my local folk club.
If it's your sort of thing, please do share the songs and enjoy!
Singing about Climate Change
Friends, last Sunday I had the chance to sing three songs in a ‘floor spot’ at the local folk club (TwickFolk). And inevitably, I sang some songs about Climate Change. A floor spot at a…
protonsforbreakfast.wordpress.com
November 18, 2025 at 2:49 PM
protonsforbreakfast.wordpress.com/2025/11/18/s...
I've been singing about Climate Change at my local folk club.
If it's your sort of thing, please do share the songs and enjoy!
I've been singing about Climate Change at my local folk club.
If it's your sort of thing, please do share the songs and enjoy!
Sadly, not tonight. :-(
November 12, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Sadly, not tonight. :-(
Yes, Elmhurst does need to acknowledge its own part in the poor use of EPCs. Basically EPCs as deployed now are not very accurate - because the basic task is not very simple.
Elmhurst are obsessed with process, but the process itself has problems that Elmhurst need to address. M
Elmhurst are obsessed with process, but the process itself has problems that Elmhurst need to address. M
November 10, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Yes, Elmhurst does need to acknowledge its own part in the poor use of EPCs. Basically EPCs as deployed now are not very accurate - because the basic task is not very simple.
Elmhurst are obsessed with process, but the process itself has problems that Elmhurst need to address. M
Elmhurst are obsessed with process, but the process itself has problems that Elmhurst need to address. M
protonsforbreakfast.wordpress.com/2025/11/10/s...
I have just a few days pointing my spectrometer at various lights sources around my home:
The Sky; the Moon; a Candle; ... and many more
and recording their spectra. Enjoy!
I have just a few days pointing my spectrometer at various lights sources around my home:
The Sky; the Moon; a Candle; ... and many more
and recording their spectra. Enjoy!
Spectra
Friends, this week I been mainly pointing the spectrometer I bought at various sources of light and taking a look at their spectra. Please join me on a romp through my results. Warning. I love this…
protonsforbreakfast.wordpress.com
November 10, 2025 at 5:07 PM
protonsforbreakfast.wordpress.com/2025/11/10/s...
I have just a few days pointing my spectrometer at various lights sources around my home:
The Sky; the Moon; a Candle; ... and many more
and recording their spectra. Enjoy!
I have just a few days pointing my spectrometer at various lights sources around my home:
The Sky; the Moon; a Candle; ... and many more
and recording their spectra. Enjoy!
I used chromatography a couple of times while I worked at NPL, and what I learned is that being even semi-quantitative is quite hard.
I've got a few more spectrometer experiments to try first, and then maybe I'll think about something more complicated!
All the best
Michael
I've got a few more spectrometer experiments to try first, and then maybe I'll think about something more complicated!
All the best
Michael
November 6, 2025 at 10:36 AM
I used chromatography a couple of times while I worked at NPL, and what I learned is that being even semi-quantitative is quite hard.
I've got a few more spectrometer experiments to try first, and then maybe I'll think about something more complicated!
All the best
Michael
I've got a few more spectrometer experiments to try first, and then maybe I'll think about something more complicated!
All the best
Michael
The spectrometer is incredible. There is so much physics to do - and so little time!
November 5, 2025 at 11:16 AM
The spectrometer is incredible. There is so much physics to do - and so little time!
protonsforbreakfast.wordpress.com/2025/11/03/i...
Friends, I made spectrophotometer that sort of works.
Friends, I made spectrophotometer that sort of works.
November 3, 2025 at 10:14 PM
protonsforbreakfast.wordpress.com/2025/11/03/i...
Friends, I made spectrophotometer that sort of works.
Friends, I made spectrophotometer that sort of works.
youtu.be/TysTr-G1k1A
Kevin Walmsley talks about the growth of Arctic Sea Routes. The "Arctic Economy" appears to be a new geopolitical reality.
Kevin Walmsley talks about the growth of Arctic Sea Routes. The "Arctic Economy" appears to be a new geopolitical reality.
Ice Silk Road opens up vast Arctic to China and Russia. Western companies aren't interested.
YouTube video by Inside China Business
youtu.be
October 22, 2025 at 9:15 AM
youtu.be/TysTr-G1k1A
Kevin Walmsley talks about the growth of Arctic Sea Routes. The "Arctic Economy" appears to be a new geopolitical reality.
Kevin Walmsley talks about the growth of Arctic Sea Routes. The "Arctic Economy" appears to be a new geopolitical reality.
youtu.be/7ka5OFDvO7w
First container ship arrives in UK via Arctic Route, a faster and cheaper China-Europe alternative.
I don't feel like celebrating.
First container ship arrives in UK via Arctic Route, a faster and cheaper China-Europe alternative.
I don't feel like celebrating.
First container ship arrives in UK via Arctic Route, a faster and cheaper China-Europe alternative
YouTube video by ShanghaiEye魔都眼
youtu.be
October 16, 2025 at 9:39 AM
youtu.be/7ka5OFDvO7w
First container ship arrives in UK via Arctic Route, a faster and cheaper China-Europe alternative.
I don't feel like celebrating.
First container ship arrives in UK via Arctic Route, a faster and cheaper China-Europe alternative.
I don't feel like celebrating.
youtu.be/PCUnlPJRGY4
I cannot recommend Kevin Walmsley's INSIDE CHINA BUSINESS strongly enough.
I have learned more about modern China from these videos than any other source.
I cannot recommend Kevin Walmsley's INSIDE CHINA BUSINESS strongly enough.
I have learned more about modern China from these videos than any other source.
Top Venture Capitalists tour China, declare Western energy firms "uninvestable"
YouTube video by Inside China Business
youtu.be
October 15, 2025 at 10:30 PM
youtu.be/PCUnlPJRGY4
I cannot recommend Kevin Walmsley's INSIDE CHINA BUSINESS strongly enough.
I have learned more about modern China from these videos than any other source.
I cannot recommend Kevin Walmsley's INSIDE CHINA BUSINESS strongly enough.
I have learned more about modern China from these videos than any other source.
youtu.be/F8vI5_gN90g
Interesting slow-paced documentary from @AJEnglish .
Good consideration of risks of high-impact scenarios.
"All the small countries that think that their contribution I insignificant add up to a third of global emissions"
Interesting slow-paced documentary from @AJEnglish .
Good consideration of risks of high-impact scenarios.
"All the small countries that think that their contribution I insignificant add up to a third of global emissions"
Inside the planet’s most urgent climate warning | Global Warning E1 | Featured Documentary
YouTube video by Al Jazeera English
youtu.be
October 13, 2025 at 3:31 PM
youtu.be/F8vI5_gN90g
Interesting slow-paced documentary from @AJEnglish .
Good consideration of risks of high-impact scenarios.
"All the small countries that think that their contribution I insignificant add up to a third of global emissions"
Interesting slow-paced documentary from @AJEnglish .
Good consideration of risks of high-impact scenarios.
"All the small countries that think that their contribution I insignificant add up to a third of global emissions"
protonsforbreakfast.wordpress.com/2025/10/10/w...
Why you should care about Net Zero.
My attempt to sum it up in 450 words for the good people of Maidenhead.
Why you should care about Net Zero.
My attempt to sum it up in 450 words for the good people of Maidenhead.
Why you should care about Net Zero.
Friends, in an unprecedented media blitz, this article is being co-published with newspaper publishing giant, The Maidenhead Advertiser. =============================== Who am I to talk about Net Z…
protonsforbreakfast.wordpress.com
October 10, 2025 at 12:59 PM
protonsforbreakfast.wordpress.com/2025/10/10/w...
Why you should care about Net Zero.
My attempt to sum it up in 450 words for the good people of Maidenhead.
Why you should care about Net Zero.
My attempt to sum it up in 450 words for the good people of Maidenhead.
I looked at that document but I need to read it again. The condensation efficiency specification makes sense, but I could not understand the energy efficiency specification at all.
It didn't seem to mention the latent heat of water anywhere? That's nuts!
I will read it again this morning
It didn't seem to mention the latent heat of water anywhere? That's nuts!
I will read it again this morning
October 6, 2025 at 10:16 AM
I looked at that document but I need to read it again. The condensation efficiency specification makes sense, but I could not understand the energy efficiency specification at all.
It didn't seem to mention the latent heat of water anywhere? That's nuts!
I will read it again this morning
It didn't seem to mention the latent heat of water anywhere? That's nuts!
I will read it again this morning
Yes. In Experiment#2 the clothes weighed 7 grams less at the end than at the beginning. I am pretty sure that was due to entrained moisture - or different levels of dryness.
October 6, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Yes. In Experiment#2 the clothes weighed 7 grams less at the end than at the beginning. I am pretty sure that was due to entrained moisture - or different levels of dryness.
That's interesting too! I may need to develop my measurement protocol!
October 5, 2025 at 9:59 PM
That's interesting too! I may need to develop my measurement protocol!
@wiilp.bsky.social Oh! Thanks for this information. I will attempt to process it all and get back to you!
October 5, 2025 at 9:57 PM
@wiilp.bsky.social Oh! Thanks for this information. I will attempt to process it all and get back to you!
protonsforbreakfast.wordpress.com/2025/10/05/t...
I made some measurements on the efficiency of my condenser tumble dryer.
I found it was surprisingly efficient, with the most powerful energy saving feature being the "wetness: sensor that prevents "over drying".
I made some measurements on the efficiency of my condenser tumble dryer.
I found it was surprisingly efficient, with the most powerful energy saving feature being the "wetness: sensor that prevents "over drying".
Tumble Dryer Efficiency
Friends, recently I have been continuing to avoid thinking about EPCs. I have instead been thinking about washing my dirty laundry in public. Or more precisely, drying my laundry in public. Unless …
protonsforbreakfast.wordpress.com
October 5, 2025 at 5:48 PM
protonsforbreakfast.wordpress.com/2025/10/05/t...
I made some measurements on the efficiency of my condenser tumble dryer.
I found it was surprisingly efficient, with the most powerful energy saving feature being the "wetness: sensor that prevents "over drying".
I made some measurements on the efficiency of my condenser tumble dryer.
I found it was surprisingly efficient, with the most powerful energy saving feature being the "wetness: sensor that prevents "over drying".
Wherever you go... there you are.
October 5, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Wherever you go... there you are.
protonsforbreakfast.wordpress.com/2025/09/29/b...
Have you ever wondered how those automatic egg boilers work?
I carried out some eggsperiments, recording: the mass of water remaining versus time; the time to switch off; and the internal temperature of an egg versus time.
Enjoy!
Have you ever wondered how those automatic egg boilers work?
I carried out some eggsperiments, recording: the mass of water remaining versus time; the time to switch off; and the internal temperature of an egg versus time.
Enjoy!
“Boiling” an egg
Friends, when my now wife and I first moved in together, we bought a cook book as a symbol of our domestic focus. It was a book by Delia Smith and we were attracted by the fact that the cover showe…
protonsforbreakfast.wordpress.com
September 29, 2025 at 10:15 AM
protonsforbreakfast.wordpress.com/2025/09/29/b...
Have you ever wondered how those automatic egg boilers work?
I carried out some eggsperiments, recording: the mass of water remaining versus time; the time to switch off; and the internal temperature of an egg versus time.
Enjoy!
Have you ever wondered how those automatic egg boilers work?
I carried out some eggsperiments, recording: the mass of water remaining versus time; the time to switch off; and the internal temperature of an egg versus time.
Enjoy!
youtu.be/IgSN8mM6IJM
Can you imagine if renewable technologies generated earthquakes or toxic wastewater?
How does oil and gas get away with it?
Can you imagine if renewable technologies generated earthquakes or toxic wastewater?
How does oil and gas get away with it?
The Looming Disaster Under America’s Biggest Oil Field
YouTube video by Bloomberg Originals
youtu.be
September 23, 2025 at 11:37 AM
youtu.be/IgSN8mM6IJM
Can you imagine if renewable technologies generated earthquakes or toxic wastewater?
How does oil and gas get away with it?
Can you imagine if renewable technologies generated earthquakes or toxic wastewater?
How does oil and gas get away with it?